
In a modest Midland village church, Reverend Thomas Owen watches a weary missionary deputation struggle to rouse a sleepy congregation. The preacher’s voice, initially flat, gains momentum as he shares his own harrowing experiences among Africa’s “Sons of Fire,” a tribe whose fierce customs revolve around lightning and spears. Owen, already uneasy about the fundraising appeal, finds himself drawn into the vivid recollection of distant lands and the stark clash between belief and brutality.
The tale then carries listeners far from the English countryside to the heart of the African wilderness, where the missionary and his companion confront a mysterious council of wizards and a brutal murder that forces a desperate flight for survival. As faith is put to the test against untamed savagery, the story explores whether the promises of divine power can truly shape the destiny of those who dare to believe.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (318K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by John Bickers; Dagny; David Widger
Release date
2006-04-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1925
Adventure, lost worlds, and ancient mysteries run through these classic stories by one of the great popular novelists of the late Victorian era. Best known for King Solomon's Mines and She, he helped shape the modern adventure tale and inspired generations of writers.
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